The xx Reunites at Coachella for Spellbinding Set After Eight-Year Hiatus
Romy Madley Croft of the xx performed at Coachella in Indio, California, on April 10, captivating the audience with a long-awaited reunion. The English indie rock band, consisting of Jamie Smith, Oliver Sim, and Romy Madley Croft, took the main stage for their first festival appearance in eight years, delivering a mesmerizing and expansive set that blended their classic sound with solo projects.
A Momentous Reunion with Atmospheric Dance Sounds
When the trio stepped onto the Coachella stage, it marked a significant moment in their career, though their seamless performance made it feel like no time had passed. Dressed in their signature all-black attire, they opened with their 2009 debut single "Crystalised," immediately drawing the crowd into their hypnotic world. Despite the hiatus, the band members have remained active: Jamie Smith, known as Jamie xx, is a celebrated electronic producer, while Madley Croft and Sim have released solo albums, 2023's club-influenced Mid Air and 2022's horror-themed Hideous Bastard, respectively.
Rangy and Shapeshifting Performance Blends Genres
Over nearly an hour, the xx performed 16 tracks that expertly wove together their intimate, atmospheric rock with elements from their solo work. This created a dynamic and versatile set, showcasing their evolution as veteran genre-bending artists. While their traditional sound—characterized by pensive lyrics and haunting deadpan vocals—is influential, it can sometimes feel anti-crowd for festival settings. However, Jamie xx's virtuosic production infused even slower tracks like "VCR" and "Say Something Loving" with propulsive beats, resulting in a hypnotic experience that delighted fans, including some British accents spotted in the audience.
Perfect Timing and Transformative Visuals Enhance the Experience
The Coachella festival programmers demonstrated impeccable instincts by scheduling the xx's set at sunset. As dusk turned the clouds rose-gold and then dark, the music transitioned from pensive to club-ready, with visuals shifting from grayscale to full-color strobe lights. By nightfall, Jamie xx's prismatic production took center stage, featuring tracks like "Treat Each Other Right," a remix of "On Hold," and a juiced-up version of Sim's "GMT," during which the singer ventured into the crowd.
A Team Effort with Seamless Vocal and Beat Integration
Throughout the performance, it was clear that the xx operates as a cohesive unit. Madley Croft and Sim's aching vocals paired perfectly, effortlessly blending with Jamie's spellbinding beats. This synergy made it difficult to distinguish between solo material and band work, highlighting their deep musical connection. The set concluded with an extra-pounding rendition of "I Dare You" and the iconic "Intro," which was deconstructed into a thunderous finale that echoed across the dark festival grounds.
In his introduction, Sim remarked that this set felt particularly special after so long away. The performance served as both a statement of return and a reminder of their enduring legacy, proving that the journey of the xx continues to evolve and inspire.
